Talks are abound the upcoming 14th General Elections schedule in the first quarter of 2018 will be a tough battle between two contending polities, i.e. Barisan National (BN) and Pakatan Harapan (PH). The state of the nation today, especially the rising cost of living, the weakening ringgit against other regional currencies, loss of jobs in the private sector and other economic and social reasons has placed a considerable strain on the people. It is now left to the government to seek remedial ways and means to overcome the economic and social stress faced by the people. Failing which could see disastrous electoral outcome for the ruling coalition during the upcoming general election.
The 1MDB scandal that has plaque our nation remains tightly under wraps and those responsible have been in denial mode since the scandal first surfaced. The people are deeply concerned of the dire economic future ahead. This problem and uncertainty of the future is being compounded by the 1MDB scandal kept in the dark and the gargantuan debts yet to be settled. We do not want our country to turn out like Greece or Cyprus.
Besides the concerns of the people regarding the economy and social stress faced by them i.e. to ensure sufficient food is available to feed their families, the monthly bills to settle and other financial commitment; a new genuine concern is regarding something untoward might happen to the nation and their families should the election go awry, prior and post the election period.
The allegation of gerrymandering by the Election Commission and the reported phenomenal increase in postal voters, are seen as evidence to favour the ruling political party. Such allegation does not augur well with the contending political parties, and this could be a cause for people's discontentment that could well burgeon into political unrest within the nation.
The recent exercise carried out by the special police force, supposedly an exercise in anticipation of any eventuality likely to develop during the upcoming election period, has raised further doubts in the minds of the people that something untoward is likely to occur. Such type of exercise wasn't carried out in the past.
Patriots would like to express our concern and take a cautionary view at what is likely to happen to the nation, prior and post the election period.
Patriots have full confidence in, and call upon all national security, defence and intelligence agencies i.e the Armed Forces and the Royal Malaysia Police to be extremely careful, impartial, and professional in dealing with any exigencies that may develop prior and post the election period. The primary role of such national agencies in times of any exigency is to protect and defend the nation and its people. It is not to protect and defend any one political party.
Reference article from:
https://patriotnegara.com/2017/12/30/national-defence-security-and-intelligence-agencies-priority-is-for-the-nation-and-its-people/
BG Dato Mohd Arshad Raji (Rtd)
President - Persatuan Patriot Kebangsaan
(PPM-005-14-22052017)
